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Phillips, Reds rock pink gear to honor moms

5/12/13: Xavier Paul powers a solo home run to deep right field using a pink bat to honor Mother's Day in the bottom of the seventh inning

By Mark Sheldon and Jeremy Warnemuende
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MLB.com |

CINCINNATI -- Brandon Phillips has become known for his flashy defense at second base and his ability to excite at the plate. He knows none of that would be possible without his mom, which is why Phillips was excited to be among several teammates that once again broke out the pink bats in honor of Mother's Day on Sunday.

"I love representing my mom," Phillips said. "If it wasn't for my mom, I wouldn't be the athlete and the man I am today. It's to show all the moms out there that we think about them, and we try to represent and show the love towards them. That's what it's all about."

Sunday marked the eighth straight Mother's Day when members of the Reds and the rest of Major League Baseball wore pink equipment and took to the plate with pink bats. The pink is about honoring mothers, but it's also part of MLB's effort to raise breast cancer awareness. As part of the day's events, the Reds also welcomed Fairfield Township resident Josie Shuler, who was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer in 2008, as an honorary bat girl.

Among the players to use the specialty bats were Phillips, who also wore pink spikes, outfielder Shin-Soo Choo and shortstop Zack Cozart. Xavier Paul used a pink bat to knock a pinch-hit home run in the seventh inning as the Reds beat the Brewers, 5-1.

Phillips said the players were all aware what Sunday meant to mothers and those affected by breast cancer, and he was happy to support the cause.

"It represents a lot of things more than just Mother's Day, but for us to go out and represent all the moms out there, I know they pay attention to it, and I know they love it," Phillips said. "It's just a beautiful day for them to be high on life and let them know everyone thinks about their mom."

Mark Sheldon is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Mark My Word, and follow him on Twitter @m_sheldon. Jeremy Warnemuende is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.